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TSO3 gets promising preliminary results on the capacity of its Ozone Sterilizer to deactivate prions

Ticker Symbol: TOS/TSX
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QUEBEC CITY, Jan. 3 /CNW Telbec/ - TSO3 Inc. ("TSO3") (TSX: TOS) has
obtained promising preliminary results on the capacity of the 125L Ozone
Sterilizer to deactivate prions. Prions are infectious proteins which are
responsible for transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) agents such as
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) (also called "Mad Cow Disease") or
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD) in humans.
These results come from the research currently in progress at the Health
Protection Agency's Centre for Emergency Preparedness &amp; Response (HPA-CEPR) in
England, which consists of comparing the capacities of the ozone sterilization
process with those of a vapour sterilization process at high temperature and
elevated pressure ("autoclaving"). "The performance of ozone compares
favourably to those of vapour sterilization at this preliminary stage. This is
quite something if you consider that the vapour sterilization to which we are
being compared is a part of one of the decontamination protocols suggested by
the World Health Organization (WHO) and that this method can only be used on
instruments that can withstand such high temperatures, contrary to our ozone
method which operates at low temperature", indicated Simon Robitaille, COO and
Research Director for TSO3 Inc.
In 2005, TSO3 announced that a funded programme of work had been approved
by the Department of Health of England for a series of tests intended to
ascertain the potential capacity of ozone to deactivate prions. This testing
started in 2006 in England and is being performed at the HPA's CEPR where
there are special microbiological containment facilities that enable
scientists to safely work with TSE agents. "The potential transmission of CJD
from patient to patient via contaminated surgical instruments has been a
concern worldwide for a number of years", said Dr. Neil Raven, Research
Project Manager of the HPA, when the announcement was made. "Effective
deactivation of infectious prions is a key part of the Department of Health
(DH) of the United Kingdom's strategy to minimise secondary transmission of
CJD and this research will provide valuable information on the ability of
ozone to deactivate prions that may cause human disease", added Dr. John
Stephenson, who was Chief Research Officer in the Research &amp; Development
Directorate at the DH, at the time of the announcement.
At the present time, according to the World Health Organization, the only
safe method for ensuring that there is no risk of residual infectivity on
contaminated instruments is to destroy them by incineration. For
instrumentation that has to be reused, the WHO suggests alternative methods
that contribute to reducing the infectivity risk, without ensuring complete
decontamination. These alternative methods include combining a one hour
immersion period in sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) or in bleach, with a
vapour sterilization period of 1 hour at 121 degrees C (250 degrees F). For
the many instruments which cannot withstand the harsh process imposed by
immersion, the suggested procedure is vapour sterilization at temperatures
reaching 134 degrees C (273 degrees F) for 18 minutes, for instruments which
can withstand such temperatures. This method is the one to which the ozone
sterilization method is currently being compared by the HPA.
"Even if these intermediate results are very promising, they do not
guarantee, in any way, the outcome of the tests currently in progress", added
Simon Robitaille from TSO3. The work underway in England is therefore being
pursued as planned at the HPA. According to the current schedule, the final
results are expected by TSO3 in 2009.
TSO3 reiterates that the Company is currently developing an ozone
sterilizer for the European market. "These results confirm the pertinence of
our work" concluded Jocelyn Vézina, CEO for TSO3 Inc.
About the Health Protection Agency (HPA)
The Health Protection Agency is an independent body that protects the
health and well-being of everyone in England and Wales. The Agency plays a
critical role in protecting people from infectious diseases and in preventing
harm when hazards involving chemicals, poisons or radiation occur. HPA also
prepares for new and emerging threats, such as a bio-terrorist attack or
virulent new strains of disease.
The Agency's Centre for Emergency Preparedness and Response at Porton
Down in Wiltshire is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence for
work with infectious disease and the manufacture of licensed pharmaceuticals.
Information about the HPA can be found at www.hpa.org.uk/business
About TSO3
TSO3, founded in Québec City in 1998, specializes in the research and
development of innovative, high-performance medical instrument sterilization
technology whit high commercial potential. The Company's first product, the
125L Ozone Sterilizer, is designed for sterile processing centers in the
hospital environment.
In contrast to other methods used, the ozone sterilization process
developed and patented by TSO3 meets all standards required by the evolution
in sterilization needs, which are: significant costs savings, increased safety
for patients and hospital staff, and a "green" environmentally safe process.
The Company believes that its technology represents an advantageous
replacement solution to other low temperature sterilization processes
currently used in hospitals.
The 125L Ozone Sterilizer is cleared for commercialization by the US Food
and Drug Administration and by Health Canada. TSO3 is in commercialization
phase for this first product since 2006.
TSO3 currently has more than 72 employees, about half of whom work in the
sales and marketing team.
For more information about TSO3, visit the Company's Web site at
www.tso3.com
The statements in this release and oral statements made by
representatives of TSO3 relating to matters that are not historical facts
(including, without limitation, those regarding the timing or outcome of any
financing undertaken by TSO3) are forward-looking statements that involve
certain risks, uncertainties and hypotheses, including, but not limited to,
general business and economic conditions, the condition of the financial
markets, the ability of TSO3 to obtain financing on favourable terms and other
risks and uncertainties.
The TSX has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained
herein and accepts no responsibility for it.